Garden

he.who.forgets

So can someone help me with the interpretation of these lyrics? It's one of my faves but I've never been able to quite grasp its meaning. The Lines: "I dont question our existence, I just question our modern needs" and then the closing line: "I dont know, I dont care, I dont need, you for me to live". I've always kind of thought he was referring to God or 'the creator', but never sure - kind of proving that he didnt have to worship anyone or anything in order to live his life. Do you think the chorus is referring to Jesus' walk before his crucifiction? "With my hands bound, with my face blood". Sorry if this has been discussed in another thread. I dont often visit this forum. Thanks

tinachen

I always thought that it is about how people destroy the earth because of "our modern needs" and that the people who really care about this can't do much about it =>"I will walk with my hands bound into your garden of stone"
But that's just what I think.

skippybrew

This is one of my absolute favorites. I think it's one that a dozen different people can give a dozen different interpretations and they'd probably all be right on some level... But this is what I hear:

"She don't wander in here..." - He's talking about a bad relationship.

"The direction of the eye, so misleading/ The defection of the soul, nauseously quick" - We might be looking at each other but we're not thinking about each other. Our hearts can just give up very easily.

"I don't question our existence/ I just question our modern needs" - There's no doubt that, physically, we're together, but maybe it's not the best thing for us right now.

"I will walk [...etc.]/ And I don't want it" - I'll go ahead and play along, beating myself up for us, but "I don't want it."

"After all is done, and we're still alone/ I won't be taken, yet I'll go with my hands bound..." - Even though it sucks, we're still together (and alone). I won't let you win, so I'll stay grudgingly, of my own accord.

"I don't need, I don't share, I don't need what you have to give" - I don't want anything you have, and I won't share anything of myself with you.

--Basically, he's unhappy in a relationship, but he's too stubborn to admit that he's lost, so he'll just go through the motions. Essentially he's saying "Fuck you, I'm staying, till you leave." But again, this is just the way I hear it. Who knows what really goes on his head...

shinmasaliu

tinachen wrote:

I always thought that it is about how people destroy the earth because of "our modern needs" and that the people who really care about this can't do much about it =>"I will walk with my hands bound into your garden of stone"
But that's just what I think.

I've always interpreted it this way too.

He doesn't question the existence of mankind, but he does question our "modern needs" which are destroying the planet. Err ... pretty much what tina said.

The whole "Shadow Flag" and "Face blood" I've never really understood .. anyone care to voice their opinions?

Adam Marganis

Eddie mention the meaning of this song just before he sang it at the Sydney 09 concert.

It is based on the Iraq war back in the very early nineties.

releaseme4034

This is a great song and even before seeing the post about Eddie saying its about the early Iraq war in 90's The shaddow flag and Garden of stone I would relate to Arlington National Cementary where war vets are burried.

happiness

I always wondered too and didn't know if garden of stone was that literal (cemetary). It amazes me listening to lyrics of songs on ten how young eddie vedder was and how deep his lyrics were. as a young man he seems like he was an old soul. he definitely was gifted at a young age. i think i have to go listen to this now..